The energy dependence of the average of the charged multiplicity and its dispersion in π + /K + /p interaction on protons at 147 GeV/ c is found to be the same as in e + e − annihilations if an “effective energy” variable is used instead of the total energy. The effective energy S eff is defined as the invariant mass of all secondaries left after the two leading particles have been removed. Fitting the expression aS eff b to the average charge multiplicity 〈 n ch 〉, we find the power b to be in good agreement with the value of 0.25 predicted by Fermi's statistical model and by Landau's hydrodynamical model.
BINS IN WEFF SELECTED SO AS TO YIELD 200 EVENTS IN EACH BIN.
200 EVENTS IN EACH BIN IN WEFF.
50 EVENTS IN EACH BIN IN WEFF.
Measurements of the charged multiplicities for hadron production in e + e − annihilation in the center of mass energy range 9–32 GeV have been made. The average charged multiplicity has an energy dependence much stronger than ln s and similar to that reported for pp collisions. Quantitative differences are observed in the magnitude of both the average multiplicity 〈 n ch 〉 and the dispersion D ch for e + e − and pp interactions at the same center of mass energy. 〈 n ch 〉 and the ratio 〈 n ch / D ch in e + e − annihilations are significantly larger than in pp collisions and are found to be in overall agreement with QCD predictions. KNO scaling is seen to be satisfied.
THE FINAL TABLE ENTRY COMBINES THE DATA FROM THE THREE HIGHEST ENERGY BINS.